Free At Last…

A little more than 6 months ago, I started experiencing some jaw pain – on the lower left side. I finally went to the dentist and was told that I had an abscess inside my jaw – on the bottom of a tooth. The unusual thing was that I have already had 2 root canals on that particular tooth and I couldn’t believe that there was still a problem. Well, I ended up going to a specialist who informed me that I would need oral surgery – extensive oral surgery.

The procedure was explained to me – it would be a little uncomfortable but the 20 shots of Novocain would take care of that. LOL… Then my gum would be moved out of the way (that means cut) and several holes would be bored through the jawbone. After the abscess was removed, I would be patched up with some sort of material that would promote bone growth and everything else would be sutured back into place. Two hours and I would be good to go…

Well, the recovery was a little more uncomfortable that I had been led to believe. And today, a little more than 6 months after I endured that procedure, I had my surgical check-up to see how I was doing. X-rays confirmed that I am healing – and the doc confirmed that I had the abscess for more than 30 years.. Imagine that – 30 years! Oh, and one other thing – I could swear that I have more energy than I had before the surgery. While there is limited evidence to support this, I really do believe that I don’t get as tired and am able to do more things than I did pre-surgery.

Now you know that I am not a fan of any type of surgery – but if I have to have it – oral surgery is probably better than the alternatives. And I am sure that I am in the minority on this one. Most people I know would rather go the the doctor than the dentist. I am not one of them.

After the x-rays and exam, I was formally released from the doctor’s care. I was sort of jazzed at the prospect that I wouldn’t have to return for future care. Interestingly, the doctor let me know that it would take another year, at least, for the bone to fill in where the problem had been, but I’m doing well. Thank God…

So I headed to my regular dentist and had my full check-up today. Everything done and acceptable as I sit here tonight – and I’m thrilled. I would be more thrilled if I had been told that the healing was complete by now, but that’s not the case. After all, they drilled a hole the size of a grape in my jaw and I want it all fixed – right now!

However, I have learned that it isn’t my timing that is important – it’s God’s timing. And rarely is earth time in alignment with heavenly time. So I want things now, but God tells me to wait. Then, He painfully illustrates the point by allowing me to go through something like this that really shakes me. The lesson tonight is that although I am finally free, it didn’t come without a price – or timing that I had control over. The verse for this evening is from 1 Tim. 6:13-15, “I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords,”

Read that? God will bring about his tasks and His blessings in His own time. My encouragement this evening is to affirm that God wants you to fall into line with His timing – not yours. He will reward the effort, but being obedient is important to Him. My prayer is that God will reward your patience with blessings beyond your imagination. He did for me… Have a great day in the Lord, grace and peace…